Pakistan Delegation Visits MBKS to Study Child-Friendly City Governance
KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) welcomed an 11-member delegation from Pakistan for an official study visit focused on the implementation of UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI).
Led by Director of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Muhammad Ubaid Iqbal, the delegation comprised six representatives from the LDA, two officials from other urban authorities in Lahore, and three members of the UNICEF Pakistan team.
The delegation paid a courtesy call on Mayor of Kuching South Dato Wee Hong Seng, who shared MBKS’s governance framework and experiences in integrating children’s views into municipal planning, programmes, and policy decisions.
The study visit aimed to gain insights into how child-friendly city development is structured institutionally and translated into practical community outcomes, particularly concerning child participation, local planning, inclusive public spaces, and family-friendly infrastructure.
Dato Wee explained that MBKS’s CFCI model combines active community involvement with a formal platform through the Kuching South Child Council, which empowers children aged 12 to 16 from diverse backgrounds to discuss local issues, develop leadership skills, and contribute directly to city governance.
"Children experience our city differently. They may notice an unsafe crossing on their way to school or a public space where they do not feel comfortable. Listening to them helps us understand what needs attention in our planning and daily work.
“The Child Council must serve a meaningful purpose. Children’s participation should go beyond attending an event or being asked for their opinions. There must be a way for their views to be considered when we develop programmes and make decisions affecting them," Dato Wee emphasised.
He added that MBKS’s CFCI Plan of Action focuses on four core pillars: survival and development, learning, protection, and participation.
Guided by these pillars, MBKS collaborates with government agencies, schools, and community organisations to execute school safety audits, road safety campaigns, mental health awareness drives, and peer-led youth engagement initiatives.
During the visit, the Pakistani delegates met directly with members of the Kuching South Child Council to observe how youth perspectives are incorporated into local policymaking.
Dato Wee highlighted that building a child-friendly city requires strong inter-agency partnerships and yields broader social benefits, noting that safer pedestrian routes, accessible community amenities, and inclusive public spaces ultimately benefit families, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities across Kuching South. - UKASnews
